Tag: Open space

I look at it this way. If a person is living a normal life and not abusing themselves

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Investigation is underway to install barriers tgo prevent motorized vehicles egress to sensitive areas within the wetlands of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. Even though motorized vehicles are prohibited within a City of Saskatoon open space, the damaging activity has been ongoing. Funding from conservation agencies and foundations is being sought out to help protect the wetlands and forest ecology at the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area which includes the wetlands of the West Swale. Ruts created by motorized vehicles on the wetlands areas alter water movement within the West Swale.

Call the Department of Natural Resources 1-877-996-6199 (The Honourable James Gordon Carr, Minister of Natural Resources) or Saskatchewan Environment if you observe anyone driving off-highway vehicles in any sensitive area. There is an anonymous tip line which can be called for any environmental resource violations. These violations include, but are not limited to:”
Dumping of toxic materials on land or in water
Dumping tires
Illegal forest harvesting

Provide the information below, if possible:
Licence plate of the suspect vehicle/boat
Date/time/location of the offence
Whether it is ongoing or not
Description of the violation
Description of the violators
Description of the vehicle
Photos or video of the offence or the offender

It is important to limit use of off-highway vehicles to designated trails in the province. Never operate off-highway vehicles in sensitive wildlife habitats such as wetlands, and shorelines. The effect of areas accessed by four-wheel drive vehicles, ATV and off-road vehicle has seen a loss of riparian vegetation, and a reduction in the quality of riparian vegetation especially along the wetlands shorelines. Additionally, an increase is seen in the spread of noxious weeds, and and increase in human intitiated grass fires

Long term sustainable improvements in the Richards St. Barbe Baker West Swale Wetlands would occur as a direct result of mitigation applied and restoration action. With the installation of barriers to motorized vehicles, the effects of cross-country travel would be mitigated, and though currently motorized vehicles in a City of Saskatoon open space is not authorized, barriers would prevent such illegal activity from continuing. Riparian areas wuld not see any motorized vehicle traffic if barriers were installed. The province of Saskatchewan does, indeed, have areas to meet the needs of motorized recreation use.

“I look at it this way. If a person is living a normal life and not abusing themselves – not smoking too much, not eating too much, not drinking too much – but living normally and eating the right food – they will be fit and well. It is only when they start abusing themselves that they are prone to attack by disease. It is the same with trees.”~Richard St. Barbe Baker

How much more deeply are we moved as we begin to appreciate the combined operations of the assembly of trees we call a forest

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Logo used for the 2016 Community Clean Up. Saskatoon, CA

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area Logo used for the 2016 Community Clean Up. Saskatoon, CA

A couple of proposed symbols for the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area – One a stylized tree, the other the same tree symbolizing the diversity of the forest, embraced by the RSBBAA community and the blue of the wetlands and sky.

This symbol comes to represent the dreams of the users of the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (RSBBAA). The RSBBAA has proven to be a site which over and over again draws people together, and unites diverse groups and areas.

The RSBBAA, itself is composed of two sections, east and west.

The afforestation area is comprised of two major tree plantings both coniferous trees in the shape of Scotch Pine, and Colorado Blue Spruce, along with deciduous trees. Those deciduous trees planted in 1972-1973 included drought resistant and hardy trees such as American Elm, Siberian Elm, Black Poplar, and Caragana.

Within the RSBBAA, selection of tree species also embraced diversity. Trees were chosen for varieties of soil type, slow or rapid growers, long lived or short lived trees, light demanding or shade bearing.

RSBBAA not only has an area of prairie which was afforested – a forest brought into being where there was none before- but it also has large 50 foot areas of fescue grasslands left as fire breaks within the afforested area, providing two ecosystems together in one area. Together at the RSBBAA, native Trembling Aspen groves, and prairie shrubs have joined with the planted afforestation area creating spectacular scenic visions.

There is yet another embracing of two major ecosystems, the wooded area is dissected by the West Swale wetlands, and three large paririe potholes make homes for the Ruddy Ducks, Mallards, Geese, Muskrats, and a number of other wetlands birds and animals, thriving alongside the woodlands animals – jackrabbits, white tail deer, porcupine, and mule deer, etc.

However there is also another embracing outside of the wildlife corridor habitat – the RSBBAA is situated on the border zone of the City of Saskatoon and the Rural Municipality of Corman Park #344. At this south west border of the City of Saskatoon, the Montgomery Place Community Association have become stewards of the RSBBAA, and completed a clean up in the spring of 2015 to protect the environment. At the border of the Rural Municipality of Corman Park #344 is the hamlet of Cedar Villa Estates. The community members have also been for the past number of years, “Stewards for the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area” and besides enjoying walks in the woodlands, they keep an eye on the forest, protecting it. They also effected a clean up in another area of the RSBBAA in the spring of 2014. Change in the RSBBAA begins with action. It is with actions such as these, that a ripple effect is created which will leads to preventing trash build up in this urban regional park.

And so there is yet another joining of two besides the City of Saskatoon residents who have come to love and embrace the beauty and splendour of the RSBBAA, there are also the rural residents from the neighbouring Rural Municipality of Corman Park #344 who have also a deep wish that the RSBBAA can reach its full potential as a spectacular wooded area to enjoy.

Again- another coming together of two groups is presented in the RSBBAA logo, the many committees and personnel within Meewasin Valley Authority (MVA)and the several departments of the City of Saskatoon are working towards a vision for the RSBBAA. These two entities have a proven track record for considering a wide variety of potentialities, recreational, economic and environmental among a very few. The city and the MVA look towards the current needs from a variety of inputs, embrace past directions for what works, and have long range sustainable projected growth plans for the future.

However, this does not end here, the RSBBAA represents both the past the the present embracing the future. A vision for a green belt for Saskatoon in 1960. This starts with Bert Wellman, Saskatoon Planning Department, who walked around Saskatoon’s perimeter choosing high spots of land for scenic beauty. Together with City Planner Bill Graham they worked on parkways and planted trees for the 1960 Circle Drive Parkway at these sites. Alfred Henry Browne “Man of the Trees” city Parks Superintendent – “The Man Who Made Saskatoon Beautiful” also had a vision for Saskatoon – planting over 30,000 trees in the city. Wyndham Winkler Ashley local horticulturist and founder of the parks board advocated trees, and dispersed tree seedlings. They all envisioned a green city. RSBBAA brings together these visionaries of 1960 with the planners and designers at City Hall of the current era.

But again, the RSBBAA continues on, bringing together community that have a love and passion for RSBBAA. The Honourable Pat Lorje, councilor for ward 2 has been bringing direction to the many diverse interest groups of the RSBBAA. Pat Lorje, with great wisdom and diplomacy has been able to steer the ship, and bring such a wide variety of people interests and user group skill sets together to chart a course upon which everyone can sail. By taking into account and remembering the needs and passions from the growing Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area community, Pat Lorje, keeps the RSBBAA ship from sinking, and keeps everyone’s head above water. For the diverse users and groups who are taking part in the RSBBAA discussions, having such pilot in the ship is a wise and invaluable asset to have to stay the course, and not get bogged down and mired in the mud.

So this symbol represents the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. The symbol has within it a heart which is pointing upwards in direction, moving forward in a positive way. The RSBBA has become itself, a symbol brings together the users and groups who have embraced the afforestation area and its decided beauty. Country and city, neighbourhood and employment sector, nature lovers and sports enthusiasts, wetlands and forest, native plants and afforested trees all come together to make the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area a vision for many of a dream come true. While the city grows towards half a million people by 2023, it is reassuring to know that such a forest is nestled within the boundaries of Saskatoon – a place which is enjoyed by a wide and diverse range of users and user groups.

“We stand in awe and wonder at the beauty of a single tree. Tall and graceful it stands, yet robust and sinewy with spreading arms decked with foliage that changes through the seasons, hour by hour, moment by moment as shadows pass or sunshine dapples the leaves. How much more deeply are we moved as we begin to appreciate the combined operations of the assembly of trees we call a forest.”~Richard St. Barbe Baker

It is a fervent desire that the afforestation area is restored to its natural beauty to make an amazing nature viewing site. The Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area as a dedication to St. Barbe is an amazing tribute to ecology as the city grows to a population of 1/2 million by 2023. Please help us to care for the afforestation area, the “West Swale” wetlands and surrounding environment. Together let us restore the afforestation area to its original magnificence and wildlife habitat vibrancy! As Saskatoon grows to 1/2 million by 2023, it is time to take back the forest!

A week-end day, Saturday July 9, 2016 was chosen to clean up the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area RSBBAA. Saturday July 9, 2016 avoids the worst of the tick season. The city is kindly allocating a trash bin on site to facilitate the clean up efforts. The bin will arrive at about 8:00 a.m. There are morning 8:00 a.m. and afternoon shifts 1:00 pm available for anyone wishing to volunteer. It is wise to come for the weather – a hat or sweatband, along with sunscreen, bug spray and full water bottle/travel mug, pen or pencil, a lawn and garden garbage bags and canvas garden gloves or work gloves. If it is raining the clean up date will move to Saturday July 16, 2016. For more information StBarbeBaker@yahoo.com

Location: Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is south of Cedar Villa Road; west of the Civic Operations Centre (Bus Barns) and north of the Chappell Marsh Conservation Area land area.

Parking available at the South West Off Leash Dog Park Parking Lot. Best access is by vehicle.

Coordinates 52° 06′ 106° 45′

Please help in the clean up efforts to protect the afforestation area, the wetlands, and the environment. Looking forward to your RSVP to StBarbeBaker@yahoo.com then the city can be informed as to the number of community volunteers are available. Please let community associations, interested individuals, green groups, schools, churches, youth groups know about this event for their meetings, bulletins, announcements and newsletters as soon as possible There is a need to network and get the word out now that the cleanup event will take place on Saturday, July 9, 2016.

The following would also be beneficial. When you RSVP, StBarbeBaker@yahoo.com please kindly advise if anyone has access to either

1/truck

2/trailer

3/forklift

4/wheelbarrow

5/wagon

6/a 2 or 4 wheel dolly

There are both large items and smaller trash to remove from the environment on Saturday, July 9, 2016. There will be tractor and a trailer to help haul larger items as well

1972 These first 660 acres of afforestation areas be kept in perpetuity

Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area

A green belt for the city starts with Bert Wellman, Saskatoon Planning Department , who walked around Saskatoon’s perimeter choosing high spots of land for scenic beauty. Together with City Planner Bill Graham they worked on parkways and planted trees for the 1960 Circle Drive Parkway at these sites. Alfred Henry Browne “Man of the Trees” city Parks Superintendent – “The Man Who Made Saskatoon Beautiful” had a vision for Saskatoon – planting over 30,000 trees in the city. Wyndham Winkler Ashley local horticulturist, and founder of the parks board advocated trees, and dispersed tree seedlings. They all envisioned a green city.

1960 the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area lands were bought; parts of Sections 22 and 23 Township 36, Range 6 West of the third meridian, south of the CN Chappell yards

Location

On Cedar Villar Road west of the City of Saskatoon Civic Operations Centre (Bus Barns)
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is north of the land for Chappell Marsh Conservation Area.
Wikimapia Map with afforestation area location:
Google Maps with Off Leash area location pin at parking lot:
Parking is at the South West Off Leash Dog Park Parking Lot (dog park is within the afforestation area). Best access is by vehicle.
Coordinates 52° 06' 106° 45' Customizer.

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